Ah, that “first review of a new year” smell. There’s nothing quite like it, and I’m so happy to be back amongst this merry band of characters for another year in metal. Perhaps there’s something ironic about looking forward to the year ahead by worshiping the past, but hey: old school death metal worship seems to be particularly trendy at this point, so it makes sense that there are a ton of bands on the scene who are looking to make good on the circular nature of heavy metal music. Enter Leper Colony and their debut album…well, Leper Colony.
When approaching Resurgence, the new album from death metal vets Massacre, there’s many different ways to take it in: forget history and receive it as part of today’s old school death metal resurgence. Or, you can take it as an extension of the band’s legacy: does it live up or exceed expectations? The former is easier, but not as dramatic. The latter is a challenge. How do you compare it to From Beyond, as an absolute masterpiece that helped shape the genre into what it is today. It forces comparisons to an album that has no comparison.
Either way you slice the skull, Resurgence is a beast from a band that knows all too well how to make great death metal albums.
Summer is my favorite but even I’ll admit that it’s hot. I mean, skin melting hot or even better, swamp ass hot. Seriously, the early morning dark gives up 92% humidity and a real feel of 95 when the actual temp is 80ish. So yea, time to find a cool mountain stream or something. Anyway, short list of new metal this week so let’s get to it…
Tomb Mold is one of those rare bands that started out on fire but on their third full length of stellar death metal, they’ve hit a whole other level of superiority. Much the same can be said of Falls of Rauros fifth full length — and debut for Gilead Media — of folky, atmospheric black metal – all roads of this band’s past lead here, period. Rogga Johansson’s involvement list over the years reads like a mile long rap sheet which means this dude is so well versed in the ways of death metal that his latest solo effort bleeds straight up insanity in the best kind of way. And then there’s WORMED, capitalized for a reason – these guys make technical death metal look easy as they continue the wild tale of Krighsu, the last human in the cosmos. Put that in your cosmic pipe and smoke it.
Do the thing and jump in there, the quality continues even though the quantity wanes, temporarily. I’ll be over here taking an ice bath.Continue reading →
Nine Circles 